Q. My kangi palm plant is drying up. What should I do?

A. Please always mention your city in your query for a more specific response. From the photograph, the centre of the kangi palm appears browner than normal. The browning of the central part, also referred to as the crown of the plant, suggests something is wrong with the plant. In certain cases, it can even be fatal.

This often happens when water repeatedly collects in the crown, especially if drainage is poor. Prolonged moisture in the crown can lead to a fungal disease, known as crown rot, in kangi palms.

Also check if the crown feels firm or soft. A soft crown usually indicates advanced rot and recovery is less likely. If the crown is still firm and brown, then there may be a few remedies that you can try. Ensure the pot drains freely and avoid spraying water directly into the crown. Water only when the top layer of soil feels dry. In case of a fungal attack, apply a copper-based fungicide to both the crown and the soil.

Q. I have ten pots of the amaryllis plant, which I brought to Karachi from my mother’s garden in Rawalpindi some 20 years ago.........

© Dawn (Magazines)